Calif. drug stakeout ends in freeway gunfire

SAN DIEGO, Calif. — Two people were killed and six wounded, including a state drug agent, during an incident Saturday night that began with the surveillance of two drug suspects and ended with a suspect running onto Interstate 805 and exchanging gunfire with San Diego police, officials said.

Lt. Kevin Rooney said the incident began when San Diego police responded to a call from agents of the state Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement. The agents had been watching two drug suspects when one suspect went into a home in the Corridor neighborhood and shot six people, one fatally, police said.

As the suspects tried to flee from the house, they were confronted by the agents. One suspect was arrested. The other shot an agent and fled on foot, ending up on I-805, shooting at six San Diego police officers. The officers returned fire, killing the suspect, identified as 41-year-old Cau Lam. The apartment where the initial shooting occurred belonged to his ex-wife, police said.

The other suspect, Tri Vo, 23, will be booked on suspicion of murder and attempted murder, Rooney said. No motives for the shootings have been established, he said.

The person killed inside the home was identified as Oeuth Saem, 45, police said.

The drug agent's name was not released, but Rooney said his wounds were not considered life-threatening.

Some of the shooting victims were employed by a local Indian casino, police said.